Milford Sound Premium Coach and Cruise from Te Anau
4.7 / 5 · 47 traveler reviews
Discover the stress-free way to see Milford Sound from Te Anau. Our premium coaches offer unobstructed views of the spectacular Milford Road so you can relax and take in the scenery while your expert driver guide takes the wheel. At Milford Sound, board our spacious catamaran for an up-close encounter with thundering waterfalls and towering cliffs. We ensure a premium experience for all. Your Nature Cruise includes free tea and coffee plus options to purchase food onboard. Download our free app to hear the commentary in eight languages. With round-trip transfers from a central Te Anau meeting point, we ensure a seamless and memorable experience in the heart of New Zealand's most famous natural wonder.
Your experience
Stop 1
10.00am Coach pick-up from Southern Discoveries Visitor Centre (80 Lakefront Drive Te Anau) • Travel on a premium glass-roof coach, equipped with reclining seats, extra legroom, air-conditioning • USB charging ports and onboard toilet • Experienced, local coach drivers provide engaging and informative commentary, and show you the best short walks and photo stops along the Milford Road • Coach connects with our Milford Sound Nature Cruise 1 hour 45min cruise of Milford Sound • Skipper provides entertaining and informative commentary • Freshly Packed Picnic Lunch is included if purchased • FREE tea and coffee
Stop 2
Te Anau is a beautiful town on the South Island of New Zealand. It’s known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. The region is home to endangered, flightless takahē birds and abundant trout in Lake Te Anau. Here is where your day trip will start from, you can meet us at the Southern Discoveries Visitor Centre on 80 Lakefront Drive at 9:45am.
Stop 3
Enjoy a stroll among small lakes with stunning reflections of the Earl Mountains, should weather be permissive on the day. This is an easy, short walk off the Milford Road.
Stop 4
Interpretation panels show the effect of avalanches on the Milford Road and provide information on the wildlife of the Eglinton Valley. Visitor amenities include toilets and a telephone (card payment only).
Stop 5
Take in great views of the upper Hollyford Valley while you fill up your water bottle from this glacier fed spring. Friendly Keas (a New Zealand alpine parrot) love this area so it's a great stop for some kea spotting.
Stop 6
This beautiful valley is glaciated with steep sides and a flat floor. It's between half a kilometre to two kilometres wide and has a shingle riverbed floor, which is constantly being changed by the Eglinton River. This is an incredible stop you will make as apart of your journey to Milford Sound with Southern Discoveries.
Stop 7
Lake Gunn is a strikingly beautiful lake in the South Island of New Zealand.
Stop 8
At an altitude of 945 metres above sea level and 1.2 kilometres in length, the unlined road tunnel allows access through sheer rock to Milford Sound with a gradient of 1 in 10. Completed in 1953, traffic lights control the traffic flow through the tunnel. An incredible part of your journey along the Milford Road.
Stop 9
The Cleddau River is a beautiful river of New Zealand. It flows into the head of Milford Sound. You'll see many parts of this river as you journey along the Milford Sound road.
Stop 10
Milford Sound is a fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s known for towering Mitre Peak, plus rainforests and waterfalls like Stirling and Bowen falls, which plummet down its sheer sides. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins. Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory offers views of rare black coral and other marine life. Southern Discoveries cruises are a popular way to explore.
Stop 11
Exchange your pass and board your Nature cruise. Your journey on the water starts here!
Stop 12
The stunning Lady Bowen Falls is Milford’s highest waterfall. It plunges 162m from a hanging valley into the head of Milford Sound and provides electricity for the Milford Sound township by feeding a small hydroelectric scheme, as well as being the water source for the settlement.
What’s included
- Informative commentary provided by local coach driver
- Skippers providing informative commentary on board cruise
- Return transport from Te Anau to Milford Sound on a premium coach
- FREE tea and coffee on board cruise
- USB charging ports on board coach
- FREE Multilingual App for Coach and Cruise
- Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Not included
- Lunch Options - but food can be purchased onboard
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Meeting and pickup
Please head inside the Southern Discoveries office situated at the above address (80 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau) to check in for your trip. Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.
Before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please advise of your country of origin at the time of booking
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Sunscreen and insect repellent advisable
- Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator. These must be provided by the parent or caregiver - without this you may be turned away and unable to travel - please be prepared.
- Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
Check dates and book on Viator →Confirm the meeting point, inclusions, cancellation policy and final price on Viator. We may earn a commission from your booking.